King James Version

What Does Zechariah 1:17 Mean?

Zechariah 1:17 in the King James Version says “Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD sha...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem. prosperity: Heb. good”

Zechariah 1:17 · KJV

Comfort

Context

15

And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.

16

Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.

17

Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem. prosperity: Heb. good

18

Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.

19

And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem. The triple repetition of "yet" (od, עוֹד, "again" or "still") emphasizes certainty despite present circumstances. "My cities" indicates God's continued ownership and covenant relationship with Judah's towns, devastated during exile. The phrase "through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad" (tephutsenah mi-tov, תְּפוּצֶינָה מִטּוֹב) literally means "shall overflow from goodness"—such abundance that cities expand beyond their boundaries.

The promise "the LORD shall yet comfort Zion" assures that present distress isn't final. The verb nacham (comfort) picks up the "comfortable words" theme from verse 13. Finally, "shall yet choose Jerusalem" (u-vachar od bi-Yerushalayim) reaffirms God's elective purpose. Though Jerusalem experienced judgment, God's choice remains irrevocable. His election isn't based on Israel's merit but His sovereign purpose (Romans 11:28-29).

This prosperity promise had partial fulfillment in post-exilic restoration, fuller realization during Maccabean and Herodian periods, but ultimate consummation in Messiah's kingdom. The New Testament reveals the mystery: God's elect "Jerusalem" includes all believers—Jew and Gentile united in Christ (Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 21:2). The church experiences overflow blessing, not primarily material but spiritual abundance in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

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Historical & Cultural Context

When Zechariah prophesied (520 BC), Judah's cities remained largely ruins. Jerusalem's walls were broken, population sparse, and economic conditions dire. The contrast between prophetic promise and present reality required faith. Yet within generations, measurable fulfillment occurred: Jerusalem's population grew, surrounding towns were reoccupied and expanded, and under Persian benevolence, Jewish communities prospered.

The Maccabean period (167-63 BC) saw Jewish independence and expansion. Herod the Great (37-4 BC) massively rebuilt Jerusalem and the temple, making it architecturally magnificent. The city's population swelled to estimates of 80,000-100,000. Yet this prosperity was temporary—Rome destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70, again in AD 135, and Jews faced diaspora until modern times.

The spiritual fulfillment transcends political vicissitudes. Christ came to comfort all who mourn in Zion (Isaiah 61:2-3; Luke 4:18-19). The gospel spread from Jerusalem to all nations (Acts 1:8), fulfilling the "spreading abroad" as the church multiplied globally. God's choice of Jerusalem finds consummation in the New Jerusalem, where the redeemed from every nation dwell with God eternally (Revelation 21-22).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the repeated "yet" challenge despair when current circumstances contradict God's promises?
  2. What does God calling them "My cities" teach about His continued covenant commitment despite past judgment?
  3. How does the New Testament expand "Jerusalem" to include all believers in Christ, and what comfort does this bring?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
ע֣וֹד׀1 of 19
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

קְרָ֣א2 of 19

“Cry”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אָמַר֙3 of 19

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כֹּ֤ה4 of 19
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַר֙5 of 19

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֥ה6 of 19

“and the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֔וֹת7 of 19

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

ע֛וֹד8 of 19
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

תְּפוּצֶ֥נָה9 of 19

“shall yet be spread abroad”

H6327

to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)

עָרַ֖י10 of 19

“My cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

מִטּ֑וֹב11 of 19

“through prosperity”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

וְנִחַ֨ם12 of 19

“shall yet comfort”

H5162

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo

יְהוָ֥ה13 of 19

“and the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

עוֹד֙14 of 19
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

אֶת15 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

צִיּ֔וֹן16 of 19

“Zion”

H6726

tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem

וּבָחַ֥ר17 of 19

“and shall yet choose”

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

ע֖וֹד18 of 19
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃19 of 19

“Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Zechariah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Zechariah 1:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Zechariah 1:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 51:3Zechariah 2:12Ezekiel 36:10-11Jeremiah 32:43-44Psalms 69:35Isaiah 14:1

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
ZionSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E148 verses across 19 books
View all places in Zechariah 1 →

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